A Merry Christmas to All

Throughout the course of history, the Christmas season seems to bring people together, even during times of war. For instance, in 1914, British and German troops stopped fighting during World War I while they decorated their barracks and sang Silent Night in English, French, and German.

Later, in World War II, battle was suspended on many fronts to tune intoopera star Ernestine Schumann-Heink singing "Stille Nacht." She had one son fighting for the Axis and one son fighting for the Allies.

Additionally, history notes that many of the Christmas traditions that we observe today became widespread during the Civil War. Christmas trees were a part of the culture before the war, but it was during the Civil War that decorating them became popular.

Christmas boxes or gifts were sent to both sides from home. These boxes held homemade goodies or even clothing to protect soldiers from the cold. Christmas carols were sung, reminding the carolers of loved ones who were far away from home. Those carols are similar to the ones being sung across America this week and even overseas.

Once again American men and women are fighting overseas during Christmas. Now, like then, they are fighting to make the world safer from tyranny. Whether they are in Afghanistan or Ramstein Air Force Base in Germany, all are serving their country proudly.

On this Christmas, I ask for everyone to come together and say a prayer for those Americans serving overseas and away from their families. I also want to thank them for their brave service. And I wish everyone a very Merry Christmas!

# # #